But Mr Blair’s reference to personal and private revelations in his autobiography, A Journey, are thought to have deeply disappointed Her Majesty.

Leaders of Scottish descent are almost automatically given the honour after leaving office, so the Queen’s reluctance is sure to embarrass Mr Blair as he tours the world stage.

The Royal snub followed drama at a book signing in Dublin yesterday when Mr Blair was pelted with eggs, bottles and shoes by angry anti-war protestors.

Renowned Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said last night: “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if his chances of being awarded the Order of the Thistle have floated to 100 to one because of his cocky references.”

The Queen’s cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, said she was sure the 84-year-old monarch would be “disappointed” at Blair’s decision to breach Royal protocol by revealing personal conversations in the Queen’s home.

In Royal circles it was felt the sections that reopened old wounds, particularly the tragedy of Diana’s death, were “beyond the pale”.

Mr Blair was particularly descriptive about the way Prince Philip did the cooking at a barbecue at Balmoral, saying it was a “vivid combination of the intriguing, the surreal and the utterly freaky”, while a Marigold-wearing Queen then cleared the plates and did the washing-up.

One Royal insider said yesterday: “It is a well-known convention that details of private conversations between the Royal Family and the PM stay private.”

Another added: “The Order of the Thistle is a reward for chivalry and a gift for her to make or not make. Why should she?”

Mr Vickers added: “This is about Blair trying to sell this book while revealing himself to be the gauche person he is.

“So the Queen handled some plates after a barbecue. So what? She’s human.

“You know when the Queen respects a Prime Minster. She awarded Margaret Thatcher the Order of Merit as soon as she left office.”

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